Sometimes an eggplant is just an eggplant . Others no. And those other times are the ones that seem to worry Facebook, which last July updated its rules of conduct to reflect the double meaning that is often made of this and other food emojis, such as peaches or bananas, in networks social.

The new rules, which have come into force in September, do not allow these emojis to be used in clearly sexual contexts on both Facebook and Instagram . The use of emoji itself is not pursued or prohibited, but Facebook may consider it to be part of a message with sexual content if used together with certain elements .

A good example would be a photo of a nude in which the genital areas are covered with one of these emoji. Until now photos of nudes that had nipples and genitals covered used to be allowed on social networks. The new rules, however, are sharp. Nude photos with parts hidden by digital elements will not be allowed. Nor do the messages requesting sexual content in which these emojis are used as a way to mask some words or representations of sexual positions.

It is also forbidden to add links on Facebook and Instagram to pages with pornographic or erotic content and the request and offer of nude photos, pornographic videos and even sex chats.

In statements to the XBIZ website - focused on the market for pornography and adult content - a Facebook representative explained that it is only a clarification of rules that were already in operation but the new language in the behavior guide of Facebook, although deliberately vague, seems to increase the restrictions that existed until now.

Facebook could be taking these measures to try to restrict the increasing use of its platforms - especially instagram - by sex workers , who often publish suggestive photos to attract potential clients to private chat rooms where to share images much more explicit.

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

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